News release from DLNR – WAI‘ANAPANAPA STATE PARK TO CLOSE BRIEFLY THURSDAY MORNING FOR REMOVAL OF CARGO NETS AND MARINE DEBRIS FROM BEACH

KAHULUI, MAUI — A large pile of cargo nets and other debris which came ashore approximately two weeks ago at Wai‘anapanapa State Park will be removed tomorrow morning, in a joint effort by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) State Parks and Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) divisions, as well as the County of Maui’s Division of Public Works.

On Thursday April 12, the upper parking lot (lookout) and the shoreline area of Pailoa Bay (the black sand beach) will be closed from 7 a.m. to about 11 a.m., while the DOFAW trails crew and Maui State Park caretakers will be working with Windward Aviation to sling load the heavy load of debris from the shoreline to the nearby County landfill. For public safety, the area will be closed until all the debris has been safely removed from the shoreline. The nets and debris washed ashore during a recent northeast swell which generated large surf in the area.

Upon completion of the project the closed areas of the park will be reopened for public use. DLNR appreciates the public’s cooperation to keep clear during this active work.